Murray v. George W. Jump Co.
Murray v. George W. Jump Co.
Opinion of the Court
This action is to recover the freight on 180,000 feet of lumber from 98th Street, East River, to the foot of Noble Street, Brooklyn.
There is no dispute that the rate was $1.00 per thousand but a controversy has arisen as to the quantity transported, the libellant basing
Another disputed question is as to whether the libellant by*- delay in sending his boat to receive the lumber rendered himself liable for certain expenses said to have been incurred by the respondent. The testimony does not satisfy me that any such definite arrangement was made as to warrant allowing the respondent to recover damages for delay. There was a scarcity of boats in the harbor and the libellant sent about the harbor to obtain one as soon as practicable. The respondent was by the efforts of its manager unable to secure any other boat and returned to the libellant and accepted his boat at the time he tendered it. I do not see how any damages could be properly allowed against him under the circumstances.
Another disputed question is as to what occurred when the boat reached the respondent’s yard in Brooklyn. It appears that the libel-lant could have secured an earlier delivery of the lumber by taking his boat to other places at the yard where similar boats went and secured quick discharge.
Another claim is that the discharge was interrupted and ceased for several days while parties were negotiating about security for the libel-lant’s freight. Tor this detention of the boat, he claims demurrage. He was entitled to a lien on the lumber for his proper charges for transporting it but it does not appear that there was any necessity for resorting to it as the respondent was apparently amply responsible. Instead of delaying for several days, while the matter of security was being arranged, he could have put the lumber ashore but refuse delivery and thus secured himself for any proper charges he might have. He could not properly make his boat a warehouse for the purpose and thus collect hire while waiting under the guise of demurrage. I therefore hold that the claim for demurrage should be rejected.
Additional Opinion.
The foregoing was prepared at the expiration of the trial, April 6,. 1906, and it only remains to consider the additional evidence adduced by the libellant with respect to the quantity of lumber on the boat. As appears above, the probable amount was in excess of the tallies made
Reference
- Full Case Name
- MURRAY v. GEORGE W. JUMP CO.
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published